Staff health and safety training and induction
Don't have a UQ login? You can access the volunteer and visitor training and induction.
The health and safety training you are required to complete can depend on your:
- role at UQ
- work activities
- previous experience and training.
See the full list of:
For other staff induction requirements and activities, see new staff induction.
All staff
These training and induction activities are required for:
- all staff, including casual staff and tutors
- higher degree by research students
- visiting academics
- unpaid trainees
They are also required for undergraduate students who are:
- completing special projects, summer research or honours research in a work-type environment (for example, a research laboratory, workshop or field site)
- gaining work experience or volunteering on field trips
All staff and students should also complete any relevant task-specific or role-specific training.
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
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Local site induction, including being:
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First day |
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New worker health and safety induction checklist (PDF, 182.1 KB) - complete this with assistance from your supervisor and WHSC |
First week |
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Health and safety training needs analysis (PDF, 124.1 KB) - complete this with your supervisor and complete any training identified as required for your work |
First week |
| UQ Health, Safety and Wellness (HSW) Induction - online training (staff login required) | First day, with refresher required every 5 years |
| UQ Annual Fire Safety - online training (staff login required) | First day, with annual refresher |
| Staff who use computer workstations: | This is recommended but not mandatory |
Supervisors and managers
This training is mandatory for all managers, supervisors and academic advisors who supervise or manage staff or students.
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
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Online training (via Learn.UQ): Supervisor Work Health and Safety Responsibilities |
As soon as practicable |
Work Health and Safety Coordinators (WHSC)
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Work Health and Safety Coordinator training (contact Health, Safety and Wellness at hsw@uq.edu.au to organise training) | As soon as practicable |
Health and Safety Representatives (HSR)
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| QLD Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) training | Within 3 months of being elected as a HSR. This training is mandatory. |
Biological materials workers
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
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Training listed on this page for laboratory workers or biosecurity (quarantine) workers |
Before you start general laboratory work or work with biosecurity (quarantine) materials. |
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Before you start work in a certified PC1, PC2 or PC3 laboratory. |
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Before you start work in a biological laboratory. |
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When you start work in a laboratory with a biological safety cabinet. |
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Before you start work in a certified PC3 laboratory. Contact the Biosafety Advisors for further training requirements. |
Biosecurity (quarantine) workers
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
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Before you start work with biosecurity (quarantine) materials. Contact your Workplace Health and Safety Coordinator about any other training requirements. |
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| Biosecurity Workshop | As soon as practicable. |
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Training listed on this page for laboratory workers or biological materials workers |
Before you start general laboratory work or work in a biological laboratory. |
Field workers
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
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Before you start field work. |
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| Hand tool safety online training (staff login required) | Before you use hand tools for field work. |
Fire Safety Officers
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Fire Safety Officer training | As soon as practicable |
First Aid Officers
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
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Accredited first aid training provided by a registered training organisation (RTO) recognised by the Australian Skills Quality Authority. You can search for RTOs and their courses at the Australian Government's My Skills website. UQ provides accredited first aid training. The training is open to all staff, but preference for training places is given to UQ-appointed First Aid Officers. |
Before you are appointed as a First Aid Officer. |
Grounds, maintenance and workshop workers
You must provide copies of required certificates, licences and permits to your supervisor before you start any relevant work. These qualifications must be recorded on Aurion.
You should discuss task-specific safety training with your supervisor. You may require additional safety training on top of what’s listed here.
| Role or activities | Required training, licences or permits | May also be required |
|---|---|---|
| All staff using hand tools | Hand tool safety online training (staff login required) | No other requirements |
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Carpenters |
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Electricians |
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Fitter and turner |
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Gardener or groundsperson |
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Mechanic |
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Painters |
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Pest control officer |
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Plumbers |
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Refrigeration mechanic |
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Water and sewerage treatment plant operator |
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Stock picker |
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No other requirements |
Laboratory workers
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
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Laboratory Safety training needs analysis (PDF, 399.2 KB) – complete this with your supervisor and complete any training identified as required for your work |
Before you start laboratory work. |
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Before you start laboratory work. |
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Local laboratory safety induction – attend an induction run by your local Laboratory Manager
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Before you start laboratory work. |
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Compressed gases safety online training (staff login required) |
Before you work with compressed gases. |
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Before you work with dry ice or liquid nitrogen. |
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Before you use hand tools in the workplace. |
Plant and equipment operators
Workplace Health and Safety Coordinators or supervisors must verify and record all required operator qualifications, licences and approvals:
- on an equipment training register (PDF, 230.1 KB) for the location
- in records for the individual worker.
All staff using hand tools must also complete the Hand tool safety online training (staff login required).
| Plant or equipment | Category | Required operator qualifications |
|---|---|---|
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Air-conditioning units (greater than 50kW) |
Registrable plant, as per Schedule 5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 |
Not specified |
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Amusement devices (excluding coin operated devices) |
Registrable plant, as per Schedule 5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 |
Not specified |
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Autoclaves |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
UQ training |
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Boats |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Licence or authority to work (certificate) |
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Boilers (hazard level A, B or C) |
Registrable plant, as per Schedule 5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 |
Licence or authority to work (certificate) |
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Building maintenance units |
Registrable plant, as per Schedule 5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 |
Licence or authority to work (certificate) |
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Chainsaws |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Certified training via a registered training organisation (RTO) |
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Cooling towers |
High-risk plant, as per Schedule 1 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 |
Not specified |
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Crane (greater than 10t) |
Registrable plant, as per Schedule 5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 |
Licence or authority to work (certificate) |
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Escalators (including moving walkways) |
High-risk plant, as per Schedule 1 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 Registrable plant, as per Schedule 5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 |
Not specified |
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Forklift (forklift truck, order-picking forklift truck) |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Licence or authority to work (certificate) |
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Fume cupboard or biosafety cabinet |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
UQ training |
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Heavy vehicle |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Licence or authority to work (certificate) |
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Lifts |
High-risk plant, as per Schedule 1 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 Registrable plant, as per Schedule 5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 |
Not specified |
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Light vehicles |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Driver licence |
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Light vehicles (4WD; driving off-road) |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Driver licence Certified training via a registered training organisation (RTO) |
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Load shifting equipment (dozer, excavator, front-end loader, front end loader/backhoe, grader, road roller, scraper, skid steer loader) |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Certified training via a registered training organisation (RTO) |
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LP gas cylinders (water capacity greater than 0.1kg) |
High-risk plant, as per Schedule 1 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 |
Not specified |
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Motorbike |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Licence or authority to work (certificate) |
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Pendant cranes |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
UQ training |
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Pressure vessels and equipment (boiler, turbine, steam engine) |
Registrable plant, as per Schedule 5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 |
Licence or authority to work (certificate) |
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Quad bikes |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Driver licence Certified training via a registered training organisation (RTO) |
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Ride-on mowers |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Driver licence UQ training |
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Tractors |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Driver licence Certified training via a registered training organisation (RTO) |
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Truck-mounted concrete placing units with booms |
Registrable plant, as per Schedule 5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 |
Licence or authority to work (certificate) |
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Utility vehicles (for example, Kubota or Kawasaki) |
UQ-defined high-risk plant |
Driver licence UQ training |
Radiation workers
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
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One or both of: |
Before you work with unsealed radioactive sources. You may also require a Queensland Radiation Health licence. |
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Before you work with X-ray devices. You may also require a Queensland Radiation Health licence. |
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Queensland Radiation Health licence or specialist training provided by suppliers and manufacturers. Discuss your specific requirements with your area’s Radiation Safety Officer or the University Radiation Protection Adviser. |
Before you work with unsealed radioactive sources over certain limits or specialised equipment. |
Security Officers
| Training or activity | Timeframe |
|---|---|
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Security provider licence (Individual - Class 1) |
As soon as practicable |
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Certified first aid training - see training for First Aid Officers on this page for example training providers |
As soon as practicable |
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You may also require: Security provider licence (Individual - Class 2) |
As soon as practicable |